Colorado state executive official elections, 2020

2022 → ← 2018
Colorado state executive official elections
Election details
Filing deadline: March 17, 2020
Primary: June 30, 2020 General: November 3, 2020
How to vote
Poll times: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voting in Colorado
Ballotpedia analysis
Federal and state primary competitiveness State executive elections in 2020 Impact of term limits in 2020 State government trifectas and triplexes
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Six state executive offices were up for election in Colorado in 2020:

State board of education (3 seats)
State board of regents (3 seats)

State Board of Education

General election

General election for Colorado State Board of Education District 1

Lisa Escarcega defeated Sydnnia Wulff, Alan Hayman, and Zachary Laddison in the general election for Colorado State Board of Education District 1 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lisa Escarcega (D)	73.3	326,818
	Submit photo	Sydnnia Wulff (R)	23.4	104,204
	Submit photo	Alan Hayman (L)	2.8	12,707
	Submit photo	Zachary Laddison (Approval Voting Party)	0.5	2,405

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 446,134
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Colorado State Board of Education District 1

Lisa Escarcega defeated Donna Morganstern in the Democratic primary for Colorado State Board of Education District 1 on June 30, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lisa Escarcega	72.8	138,585
		Donna Morganstern	27.2	51,711

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 190,296
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Valentina Flores (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Colorado State Board of Education District 1

Sydnnia Wulff advanced from the Republican primary for Colorado State Board of Education District 1 on June 30, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Sydnnia Wulff	100.0	33,546

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 33,546
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for Colorado State Board of Education District 1

Alan Hayman advanced from the Libertarian convention for Colorado State Board of Education District 1 on April 13, 2020.

		Candidate
✔	Submit photo	Alan Hayman (L)

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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General election

General election for Colorado State Board of Education District 3

Incumbent Joyce Rankin defeated Mayling Simpson in the general election for Colorado State Board of Education District 3 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Joyce Rankin (R)	55.0	228,586
		Mayling Simpson (D)	45.0	187,326

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 415,912
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Colorado State Board of Education District 3

Mayling Simpson advanced from the Democratic primary for Colorado State Board of Education District 3 on June 30, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mayling Simpson	100.0	86,132

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 86,132
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Colorado State Board of Education District 3

Incumbent Joyce Rankin advanced from the Republican primary for Colorado State Board of Education District 3 on June 30, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Joyce Rankin	100.0	89,350

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 89,350
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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General election

General election for Colorado State Board of Education District 7

Karla Esser defeated Nancy Pallozzi in the general election for Colorado State Board of Education District 7 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Karla Esser (D)	62.2	258,069
	Submit photo	Nancy Pallozzi (R)	37.8	156,890

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 414,959
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Colorado State Board of Education District 7

Karla Esser advanced from the Democratic primary for Colorado State Board of Education District 7 on June 30, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Karla Esser	100.0	118,156

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 118,156
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Colorado State Board of Education District 7

Nancy Pallozzi advanced from the Republican primary for Colorado State Board of Education District 7 on June 30, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Nancy Pallozzi	100.0	52,381

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 52,381
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Board of Regents

General election

General election for University of Colorado Board of Regents District 2

Callie Rennison defeated Dick Murphy and Christian Vernaza in the general election for University of Colorado Board of Regents District 2 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Callie Rennison (D)	59.6	297,440
	Submit photo	Dick Murphy (R)	36.3	181,404
	Submit photo	Christian Vernaza (L)	4.1	20,293

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 499,137
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for University of Colorado Board of Regents District 2

Callie Rennison defeated David Gross and Aaron Harber in the Democratic primary for University of Colorado Board of Regents District 2 on June 30, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Callie Rennison	53.4	88,904
		David Gross	26.8	44,581
		Aaron Harber	19.8	32,892

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 166,377
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for University of Colorado Board of Regents District 2

Dick Murphy advanced from the Republican primary for University of Colorado Board of Regents District 2 on June 30, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Dick Murphy	100.0	67,260

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 67,260
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for University of Colorado Board of Regents District 2

Christian Vernaza advanced from the Libertarian convention for University of Colorado Board of Regents District 2 on April 13, 2020.

		Candidate
✔	Submit photo	Christian Vernaza (L)

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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General election

General election for University of Colorado Board of Regents District 6

Ilana Spiegel defeated Richard Murray and Christopher Otwell in the general election for University of Colorado Board of Regents District 6 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ilana Spiegel (D)	53.4	225,910
	Submit photo	Richard Murray (R)	44.4	188,145
	Submit photo	Christopher Otwell (Unity Party)	2.2	9,316

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 423,371
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Robert Worthey (Unity Party)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for University of Colorado Board of Regents District 6

Ilana Spiegel advanced from the Democratic primary for University of Colorado Board of Regents District 6 on June 30, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ilana Spiegel	100.0	115,513

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 115,513
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for University of Colorado Board of Regents District 6

Richard Murray defeated Priscilla Rahn in the Republican primary for University of Colorado Board of Regents District 6 on June 30, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Richard Murray	64.8	41,956
	Submit photo	Priscilla Rahn	35.2	22,784

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2 Source 3	Total votes: 64,740
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Unity Party convention

Unity Party convention for University of Colorado Board of Regents District 6

Robert Worthey advanced from the Unity Party convention for University of Colorado Board of Regents District 6 on April 4, 2020.

		Candidate
✔		Robert Worthey (Unity Party)

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

General election

General election for University of Colorado Board of Regents District 7

Nolbert Chavez won election in the general election for University of Colorado Board of Regents District 7 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Nolbert Chavez (D)	100.0	297,965

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 297,965
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for University of Colorado Board of Regents District 7

Nolbert Chavez advanced from the Democratic primary for University of Colorado Board of Regents District 7 on June 30, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Nolbert Chavez	100.0	117,632

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 117,632
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Context of the 2020 elections

Party control in Colorado

Colorado Party Control: 1992-2025
Thirteen years of Democratic trifectas  •  Four years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year	92	93	94	95	96	97	98	99	00	01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25
Governor	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D
Senate	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D
House	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D

Voter information

How the primary works

A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Michigan utilizes an open primary system, in which registered voters do not have to be members of a party to vote in that party's primary. All candidates appear on the same ballot and a voter may only vote for candidates of one party at any primary.

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

Poll times

In Colorado, polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time for those who choose to vote in person rather than by mail. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.

Registration requirements

Check your voter registration status here.

In Colorado, an individual can pre-register to vote if they are at least 15 years old. Voters must be at least 18 years old to vote in any election. A voter must be a citizen of the United States and have established residence in Colorado to vote.

Colorado voters can register to vote through Election Day. However, in order to automatically receive a absentee/mail-in ballot, a voter must register online, through the mail, at a voter registration agency, or driver's license examination facility at least eight days prior to Election Day. A voter that registers through a voter registration drive must submit their application no later than 22 days before the election to automatically receive an absentee/mail-in ballot. A voter can register online or submit a form in person or by fax, email, or mail.

Automatic registration

See also: Automatic voter registration

Colorado automatically registers eligible individuals to vote through the Department of Motor Vehicles and certain other state agencies.

Online registration

See also: Online voter registration

Colorado has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

Same-day registration

See also: Same-day voter registration

Colorado allows same-day voter registration for individuals who vote in person.

Residency requirements

Colorado law requires 22 days of residency in the state before a person may vote.

Verification of citizenship

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

Colorado does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual applying to register to vote must attest that they are a U.S. citizen under penalty of perjury.

All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment. Seven states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. One state, Ohio, requires proof of citizenship only when registering to vote at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles facility. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.

Verifying your registration

The site Go Vote Colorado, run by the Colorado Secretary of State office, allows residents to check their voter registration status online.

Early and absentee voting

Colorado is an all-mail voting state. A ballot is automatically mailed to each registered voter. Completed ballots must either be returned by mail and received by the county clerk and recorder by 7 p.m. on Election Day or returned at a designated drop-off location or drop box by that same time.

Past elections

2018

The following elections took place in 2018:

• Colorado Attorney General election, 2018
• Colorado Secretary of State election, 2018
• Colorado Treasurer election, 2018
• Colorado gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018
• Colorado state executive official elections, 2018
• Colorado gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018 (June 26 Republican primary)
• Colorado Attorney General election, 2018 (June 26 Republican primary)
• Colorado Secretary of State election, 2018 (June 26 Republican primary)
• Colorado gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018 (June 26 Democratic primary)
• Colorado Attorney General election, 2018 (June 26 Democratic primary)
• Colorado Secretary of State election, 2018 (June 26 Democratic primary)
• Colorado State Board of Education election, 2018
• Colorado State Board of Regents election, 2018

External links

Suggest a link

• State of Colorado official website

Footnotes

State executive offices

Offices

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Elections

2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2014 • 2013 • 2012 • 2011 • 2010

Features

Chart of state executive officers • Compensation • How gubernatorial vacancies are filled • How vacancies are filled in state executive offices • State executive officials serving in home states • State government trifectas • State of the state addresses • Term limits

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